Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'grimace'

English Word: grimace

Key Russian Translations:

• гримаса [ɡrʲɪˈmasə] - [Neutral, Singular, Used in everyday descriptions of facial expressions]
• скривление [skɾʲɪvˈlʲenʲje] - [Informal, Plural possible, Used in casual or literary contexts to imply distortion]

Frequency: Medium (The word is not extremely common in everyday Russian conversation but appears in literature, media, and descriptions of emotions.)

Difficulty: B1 (Intermediate; learners at this level can understand and use it in context, but mastering inflections may require practice.)

Pronunciation (Russian):

гримаса: [ɡrʲɪˈmasə]

скривление: [skɾʲɪvˈlʲenʲje]

Note on гримаса: The stress is on the second syllable, and the 'г' is a voiced velar fricative, which can be challenging for English speakers; it sounds similar to the 'g' in "go" but softer.

Note on скривление: Pay attention to the palatalized 'л' [lʲ], which adds a subtle 'y' sound before it; common in Russian but may require listening practice.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

1. A facial expression of pain, disgust, or disapproval

Translation(s) & Context:

• гримаса - Used in neutral or formal contexts to describe a twisted facial expression, often in response to something unpleasant.
• скривление - Informal contexts, such as in storytelling, to imply a more exaggerated or involuntary distortion of the face.

Usage Examples:

• Она сделала гримасу, когда попробовала лимон.

  She made a grimace when she tried the lemon.

• Его лицо исказилось в скривлении от боли.

  His face twisted into a grimace of pain.

• Дети часто показывают гримасы, чтобы рассмешить друг друга.

  Children often make grimaces to make each other laugh.

• В зеркале она увидела свое скривление и рассмеялась.

  In the mirror, she saw her grimace and laughed.

• Гримаса на его лице ясно показывала отвращение.

  The grimace on his face clearly showed disgust.

2. A distorted or unnatural expression in a broader sense (e.g., in art or metaphorically)

Translation(s) & Context:

• гримаса - Applied in literary or artistic contexts, such as describing a caricature.
• скривление - Used metaphorically in informal speech for emotional distortion.

Usage Examples:

• Картина изображала гримасы средневековых масок.

  The painting depicted grimaces of medieval masks.

• Его речь была полна скриплений и гримас иронии.

  His speech was full of grimaces and twists of irony.

• В поэме автор использует гримасы, чтобы символизировать внутренний конфликт.

  In the poem, the author uses grimaces to symbolize inner conflict.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

Both "гримаса" and "скривление" are feminine nouns in Russian, which means they follow the standard feminine declension patterns. "Гримаса" is typically used in singular form but can be pluralized. It has regular inflections, while "скривление" is also regular but can vary slightly based on context.

Note: These are regular patterns, but "скривление" may not change as frequently in casual speech.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • минус (minus) - Often used informally for a negative expression, but less specific.
  • искажение (iskazheniye) - Implies a more general distortion, common in artistic contexts.
• Antonyms:
  • улыбка (ulybka) - A smile, representing a positive or neutral facial expression.
  • спокойное выражение (spokoynoye vyrazheniye) - A calm expression, contrasting with distortion.

Related Phrases:

• Сделать гримасу - To make a grimace; used in everyday interactions to describe reacting to something bad.
• Лицо в гримасе - Face in a grimace; common in descriptions of emotions in literature.
• Гримасы боли - Grimaces of pain; refers to expressions during suffering, often in medical or narrative contexts.

Usage Notes:

"Гримаса" directly corresponds to "grimace" in English as a facial expression, making it the most straightforward translation. Use it in neutral or formal settings, such as writing or discussions about emotions. "Скривилиение" is more informal and implies exaggeration, so choose it for casual conversations. Be mindful of Russian's grammatical gender and cases; for example, always use the correct case when describing possession (e.g., "гримасы человека" for "a person's grimace"). In spoken Russian, these words often appear in idiomatic expressions related to emotions.

Common Errors:

• Error: Confusing "гримаса" with "грим" (grim, as in makeup), leading to misuse in sentences like "Он надел гримасу" (incorrect, meaning "He put on a grimace" instead of makeup).

  Correct: "Он сделал гримасу" (He made a grimace). Explanation: "Гримаса" is a noun for an expression, not an object, so it doesn't take "надел" (put on).

• Error: Forgetting inflections, e.g., using "гримаса" in the wrong case, like "Я видел гримаса" instead of "Я видел гримасу" in accusative.

  Correct: "Я видел гримасу". Explanation: Russian requires case agreement, which English speakers often overlook.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, grimaces like "гримаса" are often depicted in folk tales and theater to exaggerate emotions, reflecting a tradition of expressive storytelling. For instance, in performances of fairy tales by authors like Pushkin, such expressions highlight dramatic irony, helping to convey deeper emotional or satirical undertones.

Related Concepts:

• улыбка (ulybka)
• выражение лица (vyrazheniye litsa)
• эмоциональное искажение (emotsionalnoye iskazheniye)